Chapter 49

The battle was over.

Leon’s gaze held complex emotions as he looked at Vanessa.

So did hers.

It felt like two people who’d sworn never to see each other again had unexpectedly crossed paths.

He stared at her. She stared back.

Was there truly nothing left to say? Could old grudges never be wiped clean? In this heavy silence, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they turned their backs and walked away the next second.

If that happened, they’d never get another chance in this lifetime.

Yet Leon spoke first: “So you’re the second prince’s…”

“I’m the second prince’s ally. Got a problem with that?”

“Never expected it. The second prince said his ally’s identity had to stay hidden—and it’s you? An S-rank bounty bandit. Unbelievable.”

*Bounty bandit*—the Adventurer Guild’s sworn enemy! Of course the first prince’s foe would be the second prince’s friend.

“Does having a bounty bandit for a master shame you, *Hero*—Leon?” Vanessa deliberately dragged out the title. “Want a rematch? Hand in my head for the reward. You’d jump straight to four stars…”

“We’ve already settled this,” Leon said flatly. “I advised you to turn yourself in. You refused.”

Vanessa snorted. “If I were rotting in a cell right now, who’d be helping you?”

“I don’t need your help.”

“Could you have beaten Lusia without me?” Vanessa’s expression turned irritated. “If you’d both died, who’d inherit my legacy?”

“Find another disciple anytime you like.”

“You’re my only disciple, idiot.”

“I still want to know why you took me on.”

“…Didn’t I say to think of it as my last shred of conscience?” Vanessa fell silent for a moment. Now Leon’s jaw tightened. “What? Hating me again?”

“Before I saw your name on the Adventurer Guild’s bounty board, you were a *Hero* to me. Someone I wanted to emulate. Someone I chased after!”

“Sorry for shattering your image of me.”

“And you abused Ruri for ten years! It’s despicable!”

“Why care so much about Ruri? Got yourself a little Priestess now, huh?” Vanessa’s laugh turned suggestive. “Keeping a harem isn’t a good look.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?! What you did to Ruri would enrage even a stranger!”

“Just giving my disciple some advice. When will you marry that Priestess? She looks young. How old is she?”

“Naya’s sixteen.”

“Old enough for betrothal. When’s the wedding?”

“…None of your business.”

Vanessa tilted her head slightly toward Lusia, pinned unconscious to the ground. “She’s guarded Ivan Reyes for nine years. Not even a promise in return.”

…It sounded tragically unfair for Lusia. Had Vanessa abandoned the first prince after seeing his true nature?

“Don’t compare me to Ivan Reyes!” Leon snapped. “I *will* marry Naya.”

“Good, good.” Vanessa nodded approvingly, almost clapping. “When the time’s right, I’ll have the second prince arrange your marriage.”

…Mentioning the second prince brought only sorrow.

“The second prince is dead.”

“What? That man actually… died?” Vanessa’s second look of shock—her first had been when Leon wore the Obsidian Armor.

“He dropped dead before our eyes. Naya’s Healing Art couldn’t save him. We think the first prince used some curse…”

“Ivan Reyes doesn’t wield power to kill by curse.” Vanessa sighed. “The second prince promised in his letter to free my father if I aided him. Now he’s gone… so I’ll hold *you* to that promise.” Her eyes locked onto armor in the hall’s corner.

“Who’s there?”

What?—Someone else? Leon’s gaze snapped that way too.

Vanessa snatched the knight’s sword Lusia had dropped and hurled it. The blade shattered the armor, piercing Benjamin’s wrist where he hid behind it!

“Ahhh!!! It hurts!!!” Benjamin wailed, pinned to the wall. Even Lusia, bearing triple pain, hadn’t screamed so pitifully.

The book in his hand clattered to the floor.

“You’re Roaring Mountain Town’s Adventurer Guild clerk?” Leon was stunned.

“I serve the Seven Gods now! Hero Leon… heh… never imagined you’d defeat His Majesty’s Royal Knights!”

So he was with the first prince. Vanessa grabbed the crumpled book. Flipping through, she found pages crammed with Sorcerer names. On the last page, names were scrawled in what looked like blood—the King’s, loyal ministers’, the Queen’s… and the second prince’s: *Turing Reyes*.

“What is this?” Vanessa’s voice turned icy. “A curse?”

“The first prince ordered it!” Benjamin writhed, face twisted. “By His Majesty’s command, I wrote the deaths of the King, Queen, and second prince! It was perfect! But when I wrote *Naya Treille*… it jammed! Useless! Or you’d be dead too, Leon Brad!”

“You dared target Naya—” Leon’s sword slammed into Benjamin’s shoulder. Only the need to interrogate this mastermind stayed the killing blow.

“Too bad. That wasn’t Naya’s true name.”

Unknowingly, Naya had broken the curse. Since no one named Naya Treille existed, the curse froze forever.

“Waaah!!!” Benjamin’s shrieks echoed in the hollow hall. “Who’ll kill them for me?! Silent Reaper! I know the Hero’s name now! Just write it and I win! I win!” His contorted face shattered his usual composure. He thrashed like a spoiled child.

Was this how all schemers acted when their plots unraveled?

The next second, the book burst into flames in Vanessa’s hands.

“What?!” She dropped it instantly.

Benjamin gasped—it was the divine miracle he’d craved! To witness it, even in his final moments, was worth it.

“The Seven Gods! They’ve answered!!!”

Flames erupted from the open pages. A figure wreathed in fire rose, scythe in hand, bat-like wings of flame spreading wide.

Hades, the Hatred—Challenge Level: ????

To be continued.